Australia seized on the horse meat crisis today by advising its citizens not to eat British meat products.

In an open letter, it said UK products were best avoided. “If you are worried about the quality and provenance of meat-based foodstuffs which you purchase/have purchased in the UK, our current advice is that you should NOT consume them,” said Bill Muirhead, the Agent General for South Australia.

“Until the UK authorities are able to ensure integrity of supply, you may wish to restrict consumption ... to guaranteed Australian-only sources.” Food parcels with Vili’s pies, T&R Pastoral beef and lamb and CleanSeas prawns were being handed out at the Australian government office in the Strand, in a cheeky attempt to exploit the crisis.

Today Environment Secretary Owen Paterson was meeting supermarkets and trade organisations to press them to do more to restore the slump in public confidence caused by the discovery of horse meat in burgers, pies, lasagne and other products.

Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, the Institute of Grocery Distribution and Food and Drink Federation were attending. Ministers were accused of ignoring a warning two years ago. John Young, a former manager at the Meat Hygiene Service, said he helped draft a letter to ministers.